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Tauranga based para-athlete Fraser Sharp is one of two late selections for the New Zealand Paralympics team announced today.

Paralympics New Zealand announced the late selection of Sharp and para-canoeist, Scott Martlew increasing the New Zealand team to a total of 31 athletes competing in six sports.

The selection panel was convened this weekend, after the International Paralympic Committee re-allocated a further two para-athlete slots to Paralympics New Zealand late last week.

The re-allocation resulted from the IPC's decision on August 7 to suspend the Russian National Paralympic Committee and subsequently Russian para-athletes from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, a decision which was upheld last week by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"Both Para-Athletes are deserving of their place on the team and despite not having received selection until now, they have each maintained a full training schedule.

"Because of this continuing commitment, they have both been able to meet the Paralympics New Zealand selection criteria."

"When the Para-Cycling team was selected in May, the panel was able to select two Para-Athletes into the two male slots available to New Zealand at the time. Fraser will be a strong addition to the team in this newly available third male slot."